Faculty Members Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Four faculty members at Gadsden State Community College have been selected as recipients of the sixth annual Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Awards.

These awards are one of the highest honors bestowed on a faculty member that recognizes outstanding teachers, both in and out of the classroom. The awards show the commitment of Gadsden State to excellence in teaching, the value placed on the learning experience of students and the importance of instruction to the mission of the college. Not intended to be a “Teacher of the Year” honor, instead the awards recognize career achievements in teaching with emphasis on accomplishments and results. Each recipient receives a $1,000 salary supplement for the academic year with an additional $1,000 discretionary fund within the appropriate department or division budget for the academic year.

Elise Harbin, English instructor in the Alabama Language Institute at the Wallace Drive Campus, was presented the Brenda Crowe Exceptional Teaching Award for the academic faculty. The award is named for the former dean of institutional advancement and community services.

Elise Harbin, English instructor in the Alabama Language Institute at the Wallace Drive Campus, was presented the Brenda Crowe Exceptional Teaching Award for the academic faculty. For more than 16 years, Harbin has taught students who range from 12 to 70 years of age, with different language backgrounds from over 70 countries. She has served as a volunteer with Ministerio de Fe (an organization similar to Habitat for Humanity with a focus on education and medical access) to build houses in Mexico. The award is named for the former dean of institutional advancement and community services.

Danny Rubrigi of Gadsden, carpentry instructor at the Valley Street Campus, was named recipient of the Eugene Prater Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award for the technical faculty division. This award was named for the founder of Gadsden Vocational Technical School which is now the Valley Street Campus of Gadsden State. Rubrigi has a master’s degree in education with more than 38 years of experience including 10 specialized certifications. He is an Eagle Scout and has been involved with Habitat for Humanity projects.

The Pierce Cain Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award was presented to Catherine Ann Capel, English instructor at the Ayers Campus. This award honors Pierce Cain, the founding president of Harry M. Ayers State Technical College which is now the Ayers Campus of Gadsden State. Capel has more than 30 years of teaching experience and is a published author and the recipient of several prestigious awards.

The Beverly Hill Exceptional Achievement in Teaching Award for the Health Services Division was presented to Brandon Beck, emergency medical services instructor at the East Broad Campus. Beverly Hill was a nursing instructor at Gadsden State in the 1980′s and during that time she developed curriculum, programs and projects for the emergency medical services program. Beck has 17 years of in-field hands-on experience and has a bachelor’s degree in emergency medical services. He has 11 certifications relative to his field of instruction and has been the recipient of the EMT of the Year award from East Alabama Emergency Medical Services, Inc.

A committee of faculty and administrators recognized as experts in the field of community college instruction reviewed the nominations and selected the honorees.

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